Bulk Hot Melt Adhesive Packaging

ABSTRACT

The invention provides packaging and shipping containers used to store and transport a wide variety of materials at substantially lower cost and with less waste. The invention is particularly useful in packaging, transporting, storing and dispensing hot melt adhesives, in particular moisture curing adhesives.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an improved design for the bulk packaging ofhot melt adhesives. The packaging is particularly well suited for use inthe packaging, storing, shipping and dispensing of moisture curable hotmelt adhesives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hot melt adhesives are solid at room temperature but, upon applicationof heat, melt to a liquid or fluid state in which form they are appliedto a substrate. On cooling, the adhesive regains its solid form. Thehard phase(s) formed upon cooling the adhesive imparts all of thecohesion (strength, toughness, creep and heat resistance) to the finaladhesive. Curable hot melt adhesives, which are also applied in moltenform, cool to solidify and subsequently cure by a chemical crosslinkingreaction. An advantage of hot melt curable adhesives over traditionalliquid curing adhesives is their ability to provide “green strength”upon cooling prior to cure. Advantages of hot melt curable adhesivesover non-curing hot melt adhesives include improved temperature andchemical resistance.

The majority of reactive hot melts are moisture-curing urethaneadhesives. These adhesives consist primarily of isocyanate terminatedpolyurethane prepolymers that react with surface or ambient moisture inorder to chain-extend, forming a new polyurethane/urea polymer.Polyurethane prepolymers are conventionally obtained by reacting polyolswith isocyanates. Cure is obtained through the diffusion of moisturefrom the atmosphere or the substrates into the adhesive, and subsequentreaction. The reaction of moisture with residual isocyanate formscarbamic acid. This acid is unstable, decomposing into an amine andcarbon dioxide. The amine reacts rapidly with isocyanate to form a urea.The final adhesive product is a crosslinked material polymerizedprimarily through urea groups and urethane groups. Hot melt adhesives,particularly those known as “reactive” or “moisture-curing” hot meltadhesives have characteristics which make them well suited for manyapplications which require high strength bonds that will withstand harshenvironmental conditions. One drawback with the use of these materialshas been the need for extremely durable packaging, to provide a barrierto atmospheric exposure that would result in premature reaction of theproduct.

Bulk adhesive products are conventionally supplied to the user in metalpails or drums. While these containers have been the standard for sometime, they do present disadvantages. The packaging is expensive, bulkyand heavy, the weight of the drum itself adding substantially toshipment costs. Other disadvantages include challenges faced by theconsumer regarding the proper disposal of metal pails and drums. Thereare generally high costs associated with disposal of metal containers,especially those that contain residual material. Also, drums aresusceptible to damage during shipment and handling. Often, even minordamage to these containers renders them unusable.

There is a need in the art for a packaging container that provides acost-effective means for packaging, storing, shipping and dispensingadhesives and other similar materials. The current invention addressesthis need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an adhesive storage andshipment container which is inexpensive to manufacture and use, andwhich can be easily and conveniently adapted for dispensing the adhesivecontained therein.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an adhesive storageand shipment container which creates less waste after use thancontainers currently used in the art.

One aspect of the invention provides a container for storing, shippingand dispensing hot melt adhesives or other material.

One embodiment of the invention is directed to a packaged hot meltadhesive, the packaged adhesive being stored and shipped as a solidblock of adhesive contained within a sealed foil bag. In a preferredaspect of this embodiment the foil bag containing said adhesive willpreferably be contained in a rigid shell or container that willtypically be in the form of a cylindrical tube, pail or drum. Examplesof rigid containers are fiber drums and polyethylene liners. In oneaspect of this embodiment, the packaged hot melt adhesive is a moisturecurable hot melt adhesive.

In a another embodiment of the invention, the foil bag containing saidadhesive is secured to a structure, which structure is adapted tosecurely engage the packaged adhesive during dispensing.

Still another embodiment of the invention is directed to packaging a hotmelt adhesive by forming a solid block of adhesive in a sealed foil bag,which solid block of packaged adhesive is further packaged within afiber or plastic shell or drum. The adhesive may be simultaneouslypackaged within the fiber drum during its packaging in the foil bag.

A further embodiment of the invention provides a method of dispensing ahot melt adhesive comprising obtaining a solid block of packaged hotmelt sealed within a foil bag and contained within a rigid container,opening the sealed bag ending to expose the adhesive, folding the openbag ending over the ends of the rigid container, and dispensing theadhesive. In one embodiment the rigid container is a fiber shell or aplastic liner.

The invention also provides a method of dispensing a hot melt adhesivecomprising obtaining a solid block of packaged hot melt sealed within afoil bag, inserting the solid block of packaged adhesive into acontainer present at the user site, opening the sealed bag ending toexpose the adhesive, and dispensing the adhesive. In one aspect of thisembodiment the solid block of packaged adhesive is secured to astructure, which structure provides stability, balance and/or supportfor dispensing the adhesive. The structure is preferably used to engageand hold the packaged adhesive during dispensing.

In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention the solid block ofpackaged adhesive is inserted into a reusable metal or fiber tubepresent at the user site, which tube is open on both ends, and thestructure engages and holds the packaged adhesive within the tube duringdispensing. Such tubes include but are not limited to clam shell-typeenclosures.

Yet another embodiment, the sealed end of said solid block of packagedadhesive is secured to an inside surface of a cover or lid, whichcover/lid is engagable with a container for dispensing the adhesive. Atubular container is placed over the block of packaged adhesive,rotated, and the cover/lid removed to allow opening of the adhesive sealand the dispensing of said adhesive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIGS. 1-7 are provided for illustration purposes only, and are not drawnto scale.

FIGS. 1-3 show side cross section elevation views of an adhesive packagefor storing and dispensing adhesive in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 1 shows a sealed foil bag contained in a fiber shell.

FIG. 2, alternatively, shows (i) the package of FIG. 1 that has beenopened in preparation for dispensing the contents of the bag and (ii)illustrates how the foil bag is positioned during the filling orpackaging the bag with adhesive product prior to sealing the bag endingto form the package shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the packaged adhesive during the dispensing operation.

FIGS. 4-7 show various other embodiments in which the foil bag isattached to a structure that provides stability, balance and/or supportfor storage, transport and/or dispensing, or may be used to engage andhold the packaged adhesive when dispensing.

FIG. 4A is a side cross section elevated view of a packaged adhesiveheld by a closed clamshell tube.

FIG. 4B is a plan view cross section showing the clamshell tube in bothopen and closed positions.

FIG. 5 is a side cross section elevated view in which a sealed foil bagis engaged with a cylindrical tube open on both ends.

FIG. 6 is a side cross section elevated view showing an engaged packagedadhesive comprising a sealed foil bag contained within a plastic shell.

FIG. 7 is another embodiment of the invention in which the seal side ofthe foil bag is removably attached to a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to containers for the storage, shipment and use ofmaterials, in particular materials that are packaged in the liquid stateand shipped in the solid state. The invention is particularly useful inthe packaging of hot melt adhesives, including but not limited tomoisture curing hot melt adhesives, also alternatively referred toherein as reactive hot melt adhesives. While the practice of theinvention is particularly advantageous for use in the packaging ofmoisture curing hot melt adhesives, and the invention will behereinafter discussed in terms of the packaging of moisture curable hotmelt adhesives, it will be understood that the packaging andtransporting materials and methods of the invention are also useful forhot melt adhesives, for other types of curable adhesive such asradiation curable hot melt adhesives, and for other materials that arebulk packaged in the liquid state and shipped in the solid state.

The term moisture reactive hot melt adhesive, moisture curable/curinghot melt adhesive and moisture curing urethane/polyurethane adhesivesare used interchangeable herein. Moisture curing hot melt adhesivesconsist primarily of isocyanate-capped polyurethane prepolymers obtainedby reacting diols (typically polyethers, polyesters and polybutadienes)with a polyisocyanate (most commonly methylene bisphenyl diisocyanate(MDI)). A stoichiometric imbalance of NCO to OH groups is required inorder for moisture cure to proceed, cure being obtained through thediffusion of moisture from the atmosphere or the substrates into theadhesive and subsequent reaction of moisture with residual isocyanate.

The invention described herein provides the art with an alternativepackaging design or container that can be used to store and ship a widevariety of materials, including a variety of adhesive products at asubstantially lower cost and with less waste than what is currently usedin the art.

Currently, moisture reactive adhesives are bulk packaged and shipped insealed metal drums. The drums themselves are expensive and heavy, whichadds to shipping costs. Upon receipt, the customer/end user must openthe sealed drum by relieving pressure and un-torquing the clamping ring.Commonly an adhesive is also present to further seal the container,which adhesive seal must also be cut or otherwise broken. If the drumhas been damaged in transit, i.e., dented during shipment, and thus is‘out-of-round’ the end user will not be able to use its entire contentssince the heated pump, platen and ram assembly used to melt and dispensethe adhesive content will not be able to extend past the dent. Once thecontent of the drum has been substantially used and the drum issubstantially empty, the drum constitutes waste material that must beproperly disposed of. Typically the drum ends up in the landfill.

The packaging material and methods of the invention provides that artwith a 100% recyclable drum that costs less, reduces the waste streamentering landfills, resists dents and substantially reduces oreliminates ‘out-of-round’ drums, is easy to open and easier to package,reduces “skins” and increases the fill weight.

A “rigid” container, drum or shell is used herein to mean that themanufactured container, drum or shell, in the free standing state, iscapable of maintaining its shape without collapsing upon itself. Rigidcontainers may be flexible. A polyethylene container as used hereinwould be considered to be flexible yet rigid.

The term “shell” is used herein to mean a protective covering or coatingthat resists damage such as gashes, dents, or fractures that may occurduring transportation.

The term “fiber” is meant to include fibrous material, such ascellulosic paper, paperboard, or cardboard.

In one preferred embodiment, the packaged adhesive comprises a block,slug or sausage of adhesive contained within a foil bag, such as forexample a Mylar bag. The terms block, slug or sausage are usedinterchangeable and refer to a composition that is in solid form. In apreferred embodiment, a cylindrical block of material is used.

The bag is filled by pumping or pouring molten adhesive in the liquidstate into the bag which, during the heating process, will typically beheld within a mold or placed within an outer container, such as a fiberor plastic shell to assure that the adhesive contents remain in adesired predetermined shape and size required for use by the consumer.The atmosphere of the head space of the bag is purged either throughinfusion of dry, inert gas or through vacuum. The bag is then heatsealed to prevent moisture contamination. Enough space is left betweenthe adhesive and the heat seal such that when the bag is opened the bagending is long enough to overlap the side wall of any drum (e.g., fiberor plastic shell) in which it is contained or may be placed. Typicallybetween about 12 to 17 inches will be sufficient. The adhesive is thenallowed to solidify.

The manufactured dimension of the cylindrical slug will closely matchthe internal dimensions of the steel drum or pail that is used in theplant of the end user of the adhesive product for dispensing theadhesive. Such drums will typically range from about 2 liters (one-halfgallon) to about 1000 liters in size. Typically drums will range indiameter from about 6 inches to about 60 inches and will be from about10 inches to about 48 inches in height. Included are 25 kilogram (5gallon drums), i.e., a conventional “Europail”.

The Mylar bag containing the slug of adhesive is supplied with an excessat the top which, when the bag is cut open, allows the excess to befolded over the outside of the drum.

For pail quantities, foil bags could be simply inserted into a standardopen ended pail, due to their relative light weight and resulting easeof handling.

While the foil bag may be used for packaging, shipping and storage, thebag may desirably be inserted into a fiber or plastic shell, eitherbefore or after filling, and the bag with the outer shell is togetherused for packing, shipping and dispensing. Such packaging assures thatthe bag will remain in a desired shape for use and avoids any risk ofadhesive flow that may result during transportation, e.g., whentransported in a truck that is not climate controlled that may effectlater use in the dispensing operation.

The fiber or plastic shells may be manufactured in any desiredpredetermined shape or size. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, theshell/container (3) is a hollow, cylindrical drum having a cylindricalportion and a bottom. It is to be understood however that the containermay have a shape other than a cylindrical shape. For example, thecontainer may be square, hexagonal, octagonal, etc. The container willcomprise a bottom wall and at least one side wall. In one preferredembodiment the container is cylindrical in shape and has a bottom walland a continuous side wall. While the invention will herein after bedescribed in terms of a cylindrical package, it is understood that thescope of the invention is not to be so limited.

Fiber containers or drums will preferably be 100% fiber and recyclable.The fiber container is preferable manufactured without the metal chimesat the base or open lip as is commonly used in the manufacture of fiberdrums.

The drum is preferably 100% recyclable, or can be made recyclable withminimal time and effort. Conventional fiber drums known in the art fortransporting various types of goods have a metal band or chime and aretypically discarded after the contents housed therein are consumedbecause the fiber drums cannot easily be recycled. Recycling isdifficult because the cellulosic portion of the drum must be separatedfrom the metal portion of the drum to recycle either the fibrous portionor the metal portion. That operation can be complex and time consuming.Thus, a typical fiber drum owner ultimately pays to dispose of the emptyfiber drum as refuse, rather than regaining some of the cost of thefiber drum by recycling.

Cylindrical drums may be manufactured using conventional core and tubewinding processes included spiral and convolute or concentric winding.Preferred are multiply tubes. Typically drums for use in the practice ofthe invention will be about an eighth of an inch in thickness (about 8plies).

While not required, the shell may preferable also be provided with aneasily removable lid or cover to keep debris out during shipment so thatthe bag ending will be free of contamination when opened. A simpletelescoping lid that is removed and then added to the plant recyclablesis one preferred embodiment.

Following use of the adhesive product, the Mylar bag is removed from thecontainer and thrown away. The fiber shell/drum is then added to theplants' recyclables. While the fiber drum used in the practice of theinvention is recyclable, it will be appreciated that due to the presenceof the foil bag, the inside of the drum stays clean. As such theadhesive residue can be discarded along with the bag, leaving a cleandrum that can be reused for the same, or for another purpose, ratherthan being recycled.

In another embodiment of the invention an adhesive slug packaged in aMylar bag is contained within a semi-rigid plastic vessel commonly knownas a drum liner. This entire assembly is delivered to the site user.Adhesive is then dispensed at the site with the aid of a clamshellenclosure which is secured to the dispensing equipment.

In the dispensing and application of molten hot melt adhesive at theuser site location, the adhesive is commonly heated to an elevatedtemperature sufficient to cause the adhesive to melt and to attain aviscosity compatible with dispensing in common hot melt dispensingequipment. Temperatures ranging from at least 150° F. up to 325° F. arecommon. Such temperatures cause the adhesive, once applied, to develop abond rapidly, often within 100-200 seconds. Most commonly, hot meltisocyanate containing adhesives are used with heated platen melters thatdispense the adhesive from cylindrical containers such as five gallonpails, ten gallon fiber board containers, fifty-five gallon drums, etc.This equipment typically consists of an apparatus which extrudes theadhesive from the pail. A heated platen contacts adhesive in the pail,heats the surface of the adhesive until molten, wherein a hose installedin the platen removes the heated molten adhesive to an extruder nozzlewhich applies the adhesive to a use location. Current manufacturers ofheated platen type isocyanate dispensing equipment are Nordson, modelnumber 5506, and Graco Thermoflow 200.

While the packaging of the invention may be utilized with currentdispensing equipment—i.e., a heated platen type dispenser, the inventionis not limited to current equipment of the exact dimensions.Furthermore, while the preferred embodiment describes the use of an allfiber drum due to its completely recyclable, other types of drums beingcomprised of other materials are not excluded.

One embodiment of the invention provides a packaged hot melt adhesive.The packaged adhesive comprises a solid block of adhesive containedwithin a sealed foil bag, which foil bag is contained within in a rigidcontainer. In one preferred aspect the rigid container is cylindricaland at least one end of the cylindrical container is closed.

In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive is a moisture curable hot meltadhesive.

The packaged adhesive in the foil bag is sealed, preferable heat sealed.

In a preferred aspect of this embodiment the sealed foil bag iscontained in a fiber shell, more preferably the shell is a 100% fiberdrum. In another preferred embodiment, the sealed foil bag is containedin a plastic shell. The plastic shell may, if desired, be secured to astructure, which structure is adapted to securely engage and stabilizethe packaged adhesive during shipment and/or dispensing of the packagedadhesive.

Another embodiment of the invention is directed to a packaged hot meltadhesive, the packaged adhesive comprising a solid block of adhesivecontained within a sealed foil bag, which foil bag is secured to astructure, which structure is adapted to securely engage and stabilizethe packaged adhesive during the filling and/or dispensing of thepackaged adhesive.

The invention also provides a method of packaging, storing transportingand dispensing an adhesive. The method comprises forming a solid blockof packaged hot melt adhesive by pumping or pouring molten adhesive intoa foil bag and sealing the bag to form a solid block of packagedadhesive, transporting the adhesive to the site of the end use consumer(also referred to as the user site or the plant site), opening thesealed foiled bag, and dispensing the adhesive.

The invention also provides a method of dispensing a hot melt adhesivecomprising obtaining a solid block of packaged hot melt adhesive sealedwithin a foil bag and contained within a rigid container, opening thesealed bag ending to expose the adhesive, folding the open bag endingover the ends of the rigid container, and dispensing the adhesive, e.g.,by attaching/inserting the end user's heated pump, platen and ram intothe open end of the bag. In one embodiment the rigid container is afiber shell or a plastic liner.

The invention also provides a method of dispensing a hot melt adhesivecomprising obtaining a solid block of packaged hot melt adhesive sealedwithin a foil bag, inserting the solid block of packaged adhesive into acontainer, preferable a reusable container, that is present at theplant/user site, opening the sealed bag ending to expose the adhesive,and dispensing the adhesive. In one aspect of this embodiment the solidblock of packaged adhesive is secured to a structure, such as with aclamp ring, which structure provides stability, balance and/or supportfor dispensing the adhesive. The structure is preferably used to engageand hold the packaged adhesive during dispensing. A “structure” of thetype contemplated for use in the practice of the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 4A and 5-7, and is also referred to herein as aninverted cover or lid. Such a structure is perpendicular to the groundand has an upwardly extending side wall or lip that serves to guide orotherwise properly locate and/or center the open ended tube or clamshelltube so that it engages and is held securely during filling ordispensing of the adhesive. While the drawing figures illustrate astructure having one continuous side wall or lip, it will be appreciatedthat equivalent alternative structures, including those having multipleupwardly extending spokes or guide arms in place of the single sidewall, are encompassed by the invention. In one embodiment of this aspectof the invention the solid block of packaged adhesive is inserted into ametal or fiber tube, which tube is open on both ends, and the structureengages and holds the packaged adhesive within the tube duringdispensing. Such tubes include clam shell-type enclosures. The tubes arepresent at the user site and may be reused.

In one embodiment, the solid block of packaged adhesive is secured atthe sealed end to an inside surface of a cover or lid, which cover/lidis engagable with a container for dispensing the adhesive. A tubularcontainer present at the user site is placed over the block of packagedadhesive, rotated, and the cover/lid removed to allow opening of theadhesive seal and the dispensing of said adhesive.

FIGS. 1-7, which are not to scale, are illustrative of severalembodiments of the invention.

FIGS. 1-3 show side cross section elevation views of an adhesive packagefor storing and dispensing adhesive in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention, and which uses a fiber shell or drum that is typicallyabout 2 feet in diameter (D) and 3 feet in height (H).

FIG. 1 shows a sealed Mylar bag (1) containing a solid block of adhesive(2). The bag, which is about 4 feet long (L), is contained within afiber shell or drum (3). The Mylar bag is heat sealed shut (4).

FIG. 2 shows the package of FIG. 1 that has been opened in preparationfor dispensing the contents of the bag. FIG. 2 shows the drum of FIG. 1after the seal has been broken by cutting the foil bag under the area ofthe heat seal to access the contents of the Mylar bag. The top of thebag has been opened and the bag endings (5) folded over the side wall ofthe fiber drum (3).

FIG. 3 shows the packaged adhesive during the dispensing operation. FIG.3 shows the drum of FIG. 2 following insertion of a heated pump, platenand ram (6) into the open end of the bag/drum.

FIGS. 4-7 show various other embodiments in which the Mylar bag isattached to a structure that provides stability, balance and/or supportfor storage, transport and/or dispensing, or may be used to engage andhold the packaged adhesive when dispensing.

FIG. 4A is a side cross section elevation view of an adhesive packagedin a Mylar bag (1) with attached support structure (7). The packagedadhesive is held by a closed clamshell tube (8) present at the user sitethat is open at both ends, the bottom end of which is engaged with thesupport structure (7).

FIG. 4B is an plan view cross section showing the clamshell tube in bothopen (9) and closed (8) positions.

FIG. 5 is a side cross section elevation view in which a sealed Mylarbag (1) with attached support structure (7) has been inserted into acylindrical tube (10) open on both ends (located at the user site), oneend of which is engaged with the support structure (7). The open endedtube may be made of steel or may be made of fiber.

FIG. 6 is a side cross section elevation view showing an engagablepackaged adhesive comprising a sealed Mylar bag contained within aplastic shell (11) with attached support structure (7).

FIG. 7 is a side cross section elevation view of another embodiment ofthe invention in which the seal side of the Mylar bag is in contact withthe support structure.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the bag is placed in a reusableperformed mold or drum, filed with adhesive and then heat sealed. Theside of the bag that has been sealed is attached to a supportstructure/lid. The support structure may be steel, fiber or plastic heldin place with, for example, the use of a clamp ring. The package is thentransported to the user site. At the user site, a cylindrical open endedtube or drum, such as a steel drum, is placed over the container, thesupport structure/lid is clamped to the drum, the drum is inverted, andthe support structure/lid disengaged and removed. The sealed bag endingis open and the adhesive is ready for dispensing.

Many modifications and variations of this invention can be made withoutdeparting from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art. The specific embodiments described herein areoffered by way of example only, and the invention is to be limited onlyby the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

1. A packaged hot melt adhesive comprising a solid block of adhesive contained within a sealed foil bag, which foil bag is contained within in a rigid container.
 2. The packaged adhesive of claim 1 wherein the foil bag is heat sealed.
 3. The packaged adhesive of claim 1 wherein said rigid container is a fiber shell.
 4. The packaged adhesive of claim 3 wherein the fiber shell is 100% fiber.
 5. The packaged adhesive of claim 1 wherein said rigid container is a plastic shell.
 6. The packaged adhesive of claim 3 or 5 wherein said rigid container is cylindrical.
 7. The packaged adhesive of claim 6 where at least one end of the cylindrical container is closed.
 8. The packaged adhesive of claim 5 wherein said plastic shell is secured to a structure, which structure is adapted to securely engage and stabilize the packaged adhesive during dispensing of the packaged adhesive.
 9. A packaged hot melt adhesive comprising a solid block of adhesive contained within a sealed foil bag, which foil bag is secured to a structure, which structure is adapted to securely engage and stabilize the packaged adhesive during filling and dispensing of the packaged adhesive.
 10. A packaged hot melt adhesive comprising a solid block of adhesive contained within a sealed foil bag, which foil bag is secured at the sealed end thereof to an inside surface of a cover, which cover is engagable with a container for dispensing the adhesive.
 11. A method of dispensing a hot melt adhesive comprising: obtaining a solid block of packaged hot melt adhesive sealed within a foil bag and contained within a rigid container, opening the sealed bag ending to expose the adhesive, folding the open bag ending over the ends of the rigid container, and dispensing the adhesive.
 12. The method of claim 11 wherein the rigid container is a fiber shell or a plastic liner.
 13. A method of dispensing a hot melt adhesive comprising: obtaining a solid block of packaged hot melt sealed within a foil bag, inserting the solid block of packaged adhesive into a container, opening the sealed bag ending to expose the adhesive, and dispensing the adhesive.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein the solid block of packaged adhesive is secured to a structure, which structure provides stability, balance and/or support for dispensing the adhesive.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein said structure is used to engage and hold the packaged adhesive during dispensing.
 16. The method of claim 15 wherein said solid block of packaged adhesive is inserted into a metal or fiber tube, which tube is open on both ends, and said structure engages and hold the packaged adhesive within the tube during dispensing.
 17. The method of claim 16 wherein said tube is a clam shell enclosure.
 18. The method of claim 13 where the foil bag is secured at the sealed end thereof to an inside surface of a cover, which cover is engagable with a container for dispensing the adhesive.
 19. The method of claim 18 wherein a tubular container is placed over the block of packaged adhesive, the cover secured to the container, the container is rotated, and the cover removed to allow opening of the adhesive seal and the dispensing of said adhesive. 